English Language and Literature
Except for Chinese-based subjects, St. Paul's uses English as the medium of instruction. As our students need to access the wider curriculum in English, the support and development of their functional literacy plays a part in the English syllabus. Thus, we aim to train our students not only to be proficient in the four key skills (reading, writing, speaking and listening), but also to be confident in their use of the language in their daily lives. Our English Language curriculum in school will help pupils become independent lifelong learners, creative thinkers and problem solvers who can communicate effectively in English. Our teachers make use of a wide vareity of materials, activities and methodologies to enhance students' motivation and provide space for developing our students.
Our Literature in English curriculum and IBDP programmes aim to nurture in our students a life-long love of literature and, in the words of Robert E. Probst, we seek "to make our students readers and writers, independent and self-reliant thinkers who employ language and literature to enrich their lives." We also aim to build our students' socio-cultural sensitivity and awareness, as well as global outlook, by offering opportunities for them to explore a wide range of literary texts written in different contexts and from various parts of the world, connecting them to other ages and cultures. this curriculum develops empathy and stimulates thinking about beliefs and values. The study of Literature encourages students to enter imagined worlds and explore, examine, and reflect on both current and timeless issues, as well as their individuality and humanity.
| Form |
Goals |
| English 1-3 |
- To listen, read and view critically and with accuracy, understanding and appreciation a wide range of literary and informational/ functional texts from print and non-print sources
- To speak, write and represent in internationally acceptable English (Standard English) that is grammatical, fluent, mutually intelligible and appropriate for different purposes, audiences,contexts and cultures
| Pupils will speak, write and represent for creative, personal, academic and functional purposes by using language in a sustained manner (e.g., in speech and writing) and by representing their ideas in a range of multimodal texts and text forms. Our most able pupils will do so with increasing ease and inventiveness at higher levels of proficiency |
- To understand and use internationally acceptable English (Standard English) grammar and vocabulary accurately and appropriately as well as understand how speakers/writers put words together and use language to communicate meaning and achieve impact
| Pupils will learn grammar and vocabulary in explicit, engaging and meaningful ways. They will reinforce such understanding in the course of listening to, reading, viewing, speaking, writing and representing different types of texts |
- To nurture creativity, autonomy, critical thinking and the promotion of passionate, life-long learners through the use of small group pedagogy
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| English 4-6 |
- To improve student's reading skills, strengthen their reading habit and prepare them for the SBA component
- To encourage students to read about events or issues of topical interest and increase their vocabulary
- To expose students to different writing genres
- To enhance students' ability to present information, ideas, intended meanings, attitudes and feelings clearly, coherently and appropriately in a variety of contexts
- To raise students' exposure to different writing styles that are covered in the IELTS and NSS syllabuses
- To inculcate a reading culture among our students
- To contextualize the learning of vocabulary and grammar
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| Literature in English Form 4 - 6 |
- To help students appreciate and enjoy a wide range of literary or creative texts and other related cultural forms
- To develop their capacity for critical thinking, creativity, self-expression, personal growth, empathy and cultural understanding
- To enhance their awareness of the relationship between literature and society
- To develop a greater sensitivity to the nuances of the English Language
- To be adequately prepared for areas of further study or work, where qualities promoted in the study of literature, such as creativity, critical thinking and inter-cultural understanding, are highly valued
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| IBDP Form 4 - 6 |
- To introduce students to a range of texts from different periods, styles and genres
- To develop in students the ability to engage in close, detailed analysis of individual texts and make relevant connections
- To develop students' powers of expression, both in oral and written communication
- To encourage, through the study of texts, an appreciation of the different perspectives of people from other cultures, and how these perspectives construct meaning
- To encourage students to appreciate the formal, stylistic and aesthetic qualities of texts
- To promote in students an enjoyment of, and lifelong interest in, language and literature
- To develop in students an understanding of the techniques involved in literary criticism
- To develop the students' ability to form independent literary judgments
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